PM Shehbaz takes ‘strict notice’ of officials’ horse-drawn carriage arrival

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has taken “strict notice” of an incident in which Islamabad’s chief commissioner and inspector general of police (IGP) arrived at an official 14 August ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage.

The prime minister expressed his disappointment and disapproval over the incident, following which the Establishment Division issued separate written warnings to the two senior officials.

The warnings said their arrival in the carriage created an impression of privilege and showiness, describing such conduct as contrary to the principles of public service.

Government officials, the Establishment Division said, hold their positions in trust on behalf of the public and are expected to demonstrate humility, restraint, dignity and sound judgement.

It warned that such behavior could undermine public confidence in government institutions and stressed that senior officials must uphold the standards of conduct expected of them.

The Establishment Division said the capital’s administrative head was expected to maintain the highest standards of official conduct.

According to the documents, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the officials to exercise greater caution in the performance of their duties and instructed them not to repeat such behavior in the future.

The Establishment Division ordered the officials to comply fully with the prime minister’s instructions.